Wireless Tension Load Cell

What are wireless tension load cells?

A wireless tension load cell is a type of industrial weighing device designed to measure tensile forces without the use of physical cabling or wires. Today, you’ll mostly encounter digital load cells, which have at their core a type of tension force sensor called a strain gauge. This electronic sensor is attached to the load cell body and can detect the slight deformations that occur when force or tension is applied. This alters the electrical resistance which is then converted to a readable measurement and sent wirelessly to a remote indicator or display.

Wireless vs. wired tension load cells

Though wireless and wired load cells alike perform the same primary task, measuring tensile force, there are a few important differences in how they operate and their advantages. While both are used for remote force monitoring, a wireless system achieves this via a cable or wire that connects the load cell body to the remote indicator. This limits operator mobility and complicates installation in hard-to-reach or challenging applications.

In contrast, a wireless tension load cell transmits measurement data via radio frequency or Bluetooth, offering greater flexibility, easier setup, and no tripping hazard. This means that there are many applications where a wireless load measurement device is a must.

For example, in shipyards, construction sites, or aerospace hangars where loads can be transported over large distances, running cables simply wouldn’t be feasible due to the distance involved. Or, in locations like offshore rigs, elevated platforms, or high-voltage zones, personnel must maintain a safe distance from the lifted load, something that wouldn’t be possible with cables.

What industries use wireless tension load cells?

Wireless tension load cells can be found across industries where accurate force measurement is called for.

In construction and heavy lifting industries, crane load cells are used to monitor a crane’s load and prevent overloads. In entertainment and stage rigging, multi-point load monitoring systems are used to ensure the safe rigging of lighting and audio equipment.

Aerospace and defense sectors make use of tension load cells for testing and load verification, and while transporting expensive and sensitive equipment.

Tension load cells are also commonly found in shipping, offshore operations, manufacturing, or anywhere wireless remote force monitoring is called for.

Key applications of wireless tension load cells

Wireless tension load cells are versatile tools used in a wide range of applications. They play a role in safety, logistics, and real-time decision-making—especially where the lifting of heavy, expensive equipment is being conducted.

Load testing and certification

One of the most common uses is in proof load testing, where things like lifting slings, shackles, cranes, or hoists must be verified to meet safety standards. Wireless tension load cells are used to verify the safe working load of such equipment while allowing operators to remain at a safe distance.

Dynamic lifting and hoisting operations

In applications where multiple loads are lifted and moved simultaneously, multi-point systems provide synchronized data to ensure equal weight distribution and prevent structural imbalances or failures.

Logistics and transport

Wireless tension load cells are also used to monitor loads during shipment, for instance to verify the weight of goods during import or export. This can help warehouses with inventory tracking.

Hazardous or hard-to-access environments

The ability to transmit data remotely makes wireless tension load cells essential for keeping personnel out of harm’s way in sites where hazardous material is involved, or where the lifted load is in a hard-to-reach location. In these situations, a wired system isn’t a feasible option.

Finding the right wireless tension load cell for you

Since every lifting and weighing application is different, there’s no single system that meets the demands of every company. That’s why you need to consider the specific demands of your application: things like maximum lifting capacity, safety factor, optional add-ons, and more.

Choosing a model with the appropriate lifting capacity is obviously the first step. At Eilon Engineering, our range of load cells goes from a half-ton to 300 tons, meaning there’s a size that’s right for every application.

Also, make note of the safety factor. Eilon Engineering systems have a standard factor of 5:1 with an optional 10:1 safety factor.

Accuracy is also a critical factor to consider. Our systems offer a standard accuracy of ±0.1% of the full scale and include an NIST traceable calibration certificate.

Environmental conditions should also factor into your choice of a digital load cell. If the system will be exposed to harsh conditions like sea water or extreme heat, you’ll need the appropriate protection. For instance, we offer add-ons like a heat shield and internal thermometer for lifting and weighing in foundries. And, all of our wireless Ron 2501 models have IP68 environmental protection, appropriate for marine environments.

Things like wireless range and battery life can be important. Our wireless systems have excellent range: up to 150 meters standard with line of sight. And this can be expanded up to 1 km as an optional add-on.
Plus, our wireless systems have industry-leading battery life: up to 2000 hours on common disposable AA batteries, or up to 4000 hours as an optional add-on.

Finally, our systems undergo stringent quality assurance procedures per our ISO 9001 certification and are calibrated in our on-site calibration laboratory prior to shipping.

Looking at all of these factors, it’s easy to see why Eilon Engineering systems are chosen time and time again by companies like NASA, SpaceX, Boeing, and countless others.

With five decades of experience in the field, Eilon Engineering is a wise choice for a wireless tension load cell you can count on.

Use case: Weight and CoG control before lifting

In heavy lifting, TechCon Engineering knows that the pre-calculated weight isn't always the actual weight.

To increase safety and reduce costs, they used two wireless Ron load cells to determine the weight and the center of gravity of an 81-ton pressure vessel.

This reduced the weight contingency factor, helped save on crane foundation, slings, and accessories, and increased safety by not relying on the crane's Load Moment Indicator (LMI) to determine the weight.